Ratrod or Restore?

"Jcarr" (jcarr)
03/30/2016 at 15:49 • Filed to: Craigslist

Seller seems to think that the only useful thing to do with this !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! is to “drop a V8 in it and go”.

DISCUSSION (30)

vondon302 > Jcarr
03/30/2016 at 15:52

And I agree.

Honeybunchesofgoats > Jcarr
03/30/2016 at 15:53

He says “RUST FREE” twice. But, uhhhhhh.

I need to learn his zen-like ability to filter things out.

Jcarr > Honeybunchesofgoats
03/30/2016 at 15:54

But that “petina”

Shmevans > Jcarr
03/30/2016 at 15:54

Don’t touch the outside. These look so much cooler when they are weathered and a bit haggard. I just finished watching Flaked on Netflix and they drive a nice old one that isn’t restored in any way. Looks so good.

Slant6 > Jcarr
03/30/2016 at 15:55

TBH I’d throw the v8 in and rat rod it.

Mercedes are so expensive to restore and when it’s restored it’s just a 48 year old Mercedes.

V8 would be so much fun, and cost less than restoration.

JGrabowMSt > Jcarr
03/30/2016 at 15:55

That’s a beautiful restoration project waiting to happen. If it was closer to me I would be running to take a look at it tonight.

That car just wants to take life in the slow lane and be looked at.

Jcarr > Slant6
03/30/2016 at 15:56

Instead of the typical LS swap, it would be fun to see the current AMG 4.0 in there.

Honeybunchesofgoats > Jcarr
03/30/2016 at 15:57

Fair enough, especially if it's legit. I can't tell you the number of times I've purchased a car because of its sweet petina only to discover that it was Plasti Dip.

Jcarr > JGrabowMSt
03/30/2016 at 15:58

Seems like you wouldn’t have much to lose for $500.

JGrabowMSt > Jcarr
03/30/2016 at 16:02

Those headlights alone, in the condition they’re in could get your money back if someone became in over their head.

Reproduction upholstery isn’t difficult to work with, and as long as the dash isn’t cracked, you could replace the carbs without much trouble and find someone who can tune them. Those older Benz’s will take an absolute licking and keep on ticking. Barn finds don’t typically take much, so why would this?

The glass is all there and not broken, so why cut this car up? I hope whoever buys it just cleans it up and does a restoration.

Party-vi > Jcarr
03/30/2016 at 16:02

Put an M104.99 in it.

lone_liberal > Jcarr
03/30/2016 at 16:04

Neither. I’d probably go resto-mod-ish. Get the interior and exterior looking stock while stuffing some sort of V8 under the hood and getting it reasonably reliable.

Jcarr > lone_liberal
03/30/2016 at 16:07

The exterior does seem to be in remarkably good shape. Nice and straight and trim all there.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Party-vi
03/30/2016 at 16:07

OM 604. Or 606.

Party-vi > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
03/30/2016 at 16:08

Barf. Diesels belong in tractor trailers and earth moving equipment.

lone_liberal > Jcarr
03/30/2016 at 16:09

Exactly what I was thinking. Then again it could all be Bondo, but from the pictures it looks like the exterior wouldn’t be hard to get looking good.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Party-vi
03/30/2016 at 16:11

Trolling potential. “Oh, there goes another diesel Benz, can’t get out of his own wa -WHAT THE FUCK”.

Jcarr > Party-vi
03/30/2016 at 16:13

False.

gmctavish needs more space > Jcarr
03/30/2016 at 16:16

Rust free? Geez, either restore it or just make it run and rock the patina. That thing is amazing and I'd be all over it if it was in BC

Party-vi > Jcarr
03/30/2016 at 16:22

That’s a weird looking International.

aberson Bresident of the FullyAssed Committe > Jcarr
03/30/2016 at 16:23

I’d love to take the 5L V8 from the 280 and some sidepipes on it

Jcarr > Party-vi
03/30/2016 at 16:24

International-Benz.

Die-Trying > Jcarr
03/30/2016 at 16:28

cummins-benz???

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Jcarr
03/30/2016 at 16:51

This needs a M156 AMG 6.2. Ultimate rat rod.

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > Jcarr
03/30/2016 at 16:58

I would do this if i had the time and a lift. at $500 I have to assume that everything on this car needs to be replaced, rewired, and refitted. And that’s just to have a driver, not a looker.

It would be pretty awesome to put an I6 from something slightly more modern and go about your merry way.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Jcarr
03/30/2016 at 17:39

M100 M100!!!

TheJMan92 > Jcarr
03/30/2016 at 17:40

Kinja'd!!!

Do it! I’ve got a $500 1970 250 that’s been great. By great I mean it leaked/ate 4 gallons of oil from Wisconsin to Louisiana and back during the Power Tour last year. It’s bad enough that the Roadkill guys thought it was a diesel after watching me run it through the opening day autocross. It also has a repaint that’s good from far but far from good and all the door/window seals need to be replaced, the trunk pan has been replaced (not well) and there appears to have been some bondo magic done on the front as it’s now coming through. But seriously, $500 + I’ve never seen another 250 on the road in all my travels.

On the other hand, as long as I keep it fed with premium and oil it has been completely happy to let me beat it. I’ve even gotten an average of 18mpg. It’s been mostly easy to work on (don’t even look at the dual carbs) but the price for serious work (piston rings, I definitely need them) is up there. So much so that rather than rebuilding the engine in mine I’m pretty much waiting for it to grenade (which may be awhile) and then planning to do the usual LS swap. Yes, I know, just another LS but with prices the way they are it would be cheaper for the LS swap.

So it really depends on what your goals are and how deep your pockets go. Either way, I’m super happy with mine. It just started up the other day after sitting all winter, forgot to put the battery tender on (lazy) and it still fired up no issue.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Party-vi
03/31/2016 at 03:07

M113k

Party-vi > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
03/31/2016 at 07:19

That would be a bit crass don’t you think?

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Party-vi
03/31/2016 at 09:49

Meh. No more so than half the LS swaps out there.